130 Years of Life in the Archipelago

Villa Apollo’s main building was originally built in 1896 as a village school in the Parainen archipelago. In 2026, the building celebrates its 130th anniversary. Many things have changed over the years, yet the house still carries the same calm atmosphere that only old buildings can develop over time.

In the past, people studied here, lived their everyday lives and gathered together. Today, the same building hosts corporate recreation days, meetings and company events in the peaceful surroundings of the archipelago. The purpose of the building has changed over the decades, but the idea of bringing people together has remained the same.

At Villa Apollo, history has not been created as an interior design theme or polished into a perfect façade. Old structures, details and the atmosphere itself have been carefully preserved through years of dedicated restoration work. The building has been renovated with respect for its history so that its original spirit can still be felt in everyday life.

Many old buildings lose their character over time, but at Villa Apollo the marks of age are allowed to remain visible. Old wooden surfaces, high windows, original details and the surrounding sea create a feeling that is difficult to recreate in a modern building.

The restoration of the building was never a quick project. It was carried out with patience, care and attention to detail. Over the years, old objects, furniture and architectural elements have also found a new home at Villa Apollo. An appreciation for history and antique pieces can still be seen naturally throughout the building, where antiques remain part of the interior.

Life in the archipelago moves at a slightly different pace. You can feel it especially here, where the sea, the old building and the peaceful surroundings create a unique atmosphere from the moment you arrive.

Many visitors quickly notice that Villa Apollo does not feel like an ordinary event venue. The house holds more layers than a single visit can reveal. Some remember the silence of the sea, others the atmosphere of the old rooms, while some notice handcrafted details that are rarely seen in modern buildings anymore.

Perhaps that is why the days spent here often stay in people’s memories longer. Nothing has been made overly polished or artificially perfect. The place carries signs of real life, history and generations that have passed through it.

130 years later, Villa Apollo continues to live on in the archipelago as a place for new stories, encounters and shared moments.